Using pulmonary vein isolation for patients with atrial fibrillation

Abstract

A method for ablating a patient, consisting of ascertaining a CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score for the patient and inserting a probe into the patient, so as to contact a pulmonary vein of the patient. The method further includes applying energy via the probe so as to ablate the pulmonary vein until pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is achieved. When PVI is achieved and the CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score is less than a preset value, ablation of the pulmonary vein is ceased. When PVI is achieved and the CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score is greater than or equal to the preset value, energy is applied to perform a further ablation.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for ablating a patient, comprising:
 (a) ascertaining a CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score for the patient; 
 (b) assigning a preset value for the patient based on a gender of the patient, the preset value being a first value if the patient is male, the preset value being a second value if the patient is female, the first and second values being different from each other, the preset value being 1 if the patient is male, and being 2 if the patient is female; 
 (c) inserting a probe into the patient, so as to contact a pulmonary vein of the patient; 
 (d) ablating the pulmonary vein by applying energy via the probe until pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is achieved; 
 (e) when PVI is achieved and the CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score is less than the preset value, ceasing ablation of the pulmonary vein; and 
 (f) when PVI is achieved and the CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score is greater than or equal to the preset value, applying the energy to perform a further ablation. 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , the probe comprising a balloon catheter. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , the probe comprising a focal catheter. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , the energy comprising radio-frequency energy. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , the further ablation being in proximity to the pulmonary vein. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 5 , the further ablation comprising ablation of rotors. 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 5 , the further ablation comprising ablation to isolate a posterior atrial wall. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 5 , the further ablation comprising ablation to isolate a left atrial appendage. 
     
     
       9. The method according to  claim 5 , the further ablation comprising ablation of an additional location of arrhythmogenic activity. 
     
     
       10. Apparatus for ablating a patient, comprising:
 (a) a probe, configured to be inserted into the patient, so as to contact a pulmonary vein of the patient; and 
 (b) a processor, configured to:
 (i) ascertain a CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score for the patient, 
 (ii) assign a preset value for the patient based on a gender of the patient, the preset value being a first value if the patient is male, the preset value being a second value if the patient is female, the first and second values being different from each other, the preset value being 1 if the patient is male, and being 2 if the patient is female, 
 (iii) ablate the pulmonary vein by applying energy via the probe so as to ablate the pulmonary vein until pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is achieved, 
 (iv) cease ablation of the pulmonary vein when PVI is achieved and the CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score is less than the preset value, and 
 (v) apply the energy to perform a further ablation when PVI is achieved and the CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score is greater than or equal to the preset value. 
 
 
     
     
       11. The apparatus according to  claim 10 , the probe comprising a balloon catheter. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus according to  claim 10 , the probe comprising a focal catheter. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus according to  claim 10 , the energy comprising radio-frequency energy. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus according to  claim 10 , the further ablation being in proximity to the pulmonary vein. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus according to  claim 14 , the further ablation comprising ablation of rotors. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus according to  claim 14 , the further ablation comprising ablation to isolate a posterior atrial wall. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus according to  claim 14 , the further ablation comprising ablation to isolate a left atrial appendage. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus according to  claim 14 , the further ablation comprising ablation of an additional location of arrhythmogenic activity.